Virginia Cooperative Extension provides outreach to Virginia's aquaculture farmers
PETERSBURG, Va., July 16, 2008 – Virginia Cooperative Extension specialists at Virginia State University’s pond aquaculture program have been working with Extension agents to provide answers for local farmers involved with Virginia’s competitive aquaculture industry.
The program is increasing opportunities for local freshwater fish and shellfish growers by helping these farmers diversify their operations and compete with larger suppliers, many of which import products. With support from Virginia State University, Extension agents have launched an outreach program for small farmers hoping to improve the economic prospects for locally produced freshwater fish, which include channel catfish, rainbow trout, hybrid striped bass, and freshwater shrimp. Limited resources can mean that these aquaculturists will face challenges related to production and financial management at their independent farms.
An in-state aquaculture market directly links local producers with Virginia consumers. The effect of this kind of production means Virginia processors, transporters, and marketers all receive a fair share of the profit. One dollar of production would, therefore, produce more than two or three times as much economic activity. Virginia aquaculture producers are beginning to supply this demand while keeping Virginia consumer dollars close to home.
Local pond bank sales allow the consumer to purchase the cultured product in the freshest way possible, a marketing aspect that appeals to Virginia’s consumers.
“Aside from the assured freshness, the consumer is aware of the source (the producer) and can verify that the product has not been ‘mishandled’ postharvest,” said Brian Nerrie, Virginia Cooperative Extension aquaculture specialist at Virginia State University. “I find the consumer is willing to pay a bit more for the freshness and quality of local produce.”
Nerrie’s initiatives include freshwater shrimp, which can be cultured in small ponds as a 100-day crop and can grow to the length of an adult hand. The size and quality of these freshwater shrimp appeals to buyers, and the ability to easily culture the species for market is beneficial to aquaculture farmers.
Aquaculture research is underway at Virginia State University’s 57-pond facility at Randolph Farm to support the Extension effort. Aquaculture research by Virginia State University faculty members Scott Newton and Ed Sismour is assisting community farmers grow warm-water and coldwater fish in open-pond and cage-culture systems. The Small Farmer Outreach program at Virginia State University also provides training and education to small-scale Virginia seafood producers who might otherwise be struggling to make a profit. David Crosby and Virginia State University’s Fish Health Program educate producers through specific workshops, newsletters, and fact sheets which provide the tools to prevent, identify, and treat possible disease outbreaks and to make operations more bio-secure. The Fish Health Diagnosis Lab routinely does parasitological and bacteriological tests to determine presumptive disease problems, and tests many water quality parameters affecting fish health.
Much of the training for these farmers has been provided through workshops hosted by Virginia State University on such topics as shrimp production promotion, water-quality management, and cage building. The latter workshop taught new farmers how to build appropriate culturing systems for their deep-water ponds. Culturing products in cages is ideal for many farmers because rocks submerged in deeper ponds can make netting fish or shrimp more difficult. Rather than allowing the fish to circulate through the pond, the cage provides an enclosure where water circulates around the fish, providing a more viable means of harvesting the desired product. This successful workshop will return in August.
In addition to improving the economic quality of Virginia’s fish and shellfish industry, Virginia State University is also dedicated to youth aquaculture initiatives. Bert Reid, an Extension agent for Virginia State University, collaborates with local school systems to bring aquaculture to classrooms across the state. The Youth Aquaculture Competition at the Virginia State Fair allows students to have the opportunity to compete for prizes that include educational scholarships. Virginia State University’s Randolph Farm also hosts regular tours which showcase pond feeding activity and greenhouse tilapia and gives visitors the opportunity to experience the possibilities for growth in Virginia’s competitive aquaculture industry. The Youth Aquaculture Program has more than 50 schools and organizations dedicated to the growth of Virginia’s aquaculture industry.
The future of Virginia’s aquaculture farmers hinges on increasing demand for high-quality, affordable, locally grown aquaproducts. Virginia State University contributes to the growing interest in aquaculture through its educational programs that address the concerns of local farmers relating to economics, fish health, and the pond-culture technologies associated with maintaining a sustainable fish farm.
PHOTO INFORMATION: Youth participate in a Virginia Cooperative Extension-sponsored aquaculture program along the Eastern Shore.
Contact: Brian Nerrie
Virginia Cooperative Extension Aquaculture Specialist
Virginia State University
(804) 524-5903
bnerrie@vsu.edu
Contact: Angela Correa
SeaGrant Communications Coordinator
Virginia Tech
(540) 231-2075
acorrea@vt.edu